Apparatus to Clear Oil from the Hoses and Front End of a Recovery Recharge Machine

ABSTRACT

A refrigerant recovery unit is provided that can recover and recharge refrigerant. The unit is further configured with a pair of service hoses and a refrigerant control circuit operable to receive and transport the refrigerant between the hoses and the storage vessel and to process the refrigerant to substantially remove contaminants from the refrigerant. A fluid connector is provided in fluid communication with the hoses to enable the refrigerant to flow between the hoses and to establish a closed loop through the refrigerant control circuit, and a controller is operatively connected to the refrigerant control circuit and configured to control a flow of the refrigerant through the refrigerant control circuit and through the fluid connector.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to provisional U.S. patent applicationentitled “Apparatus to Clear Oil from the Hoses and Front End of aRecovery Recharge Machine,” filed Jan. 29, 2008, having a Ser. No.61/024,398, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by referencein its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The disclosure generally relates to automotive vehicle air conditioningsystems, and more particularly to flushing oil from the hoses of arefrigerant recovery unit that services the air conditioning system soas to not contaminate the oil in an electric hybrid vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Automotive vehicle air conditioning (A/C) systems require maintenance.Maintenance includes refrigerant recovery, evacuation, and recharging ofthe A/C system. Portable refrigerant recovery units are used inconnection with this maintenance. The refrigerant recovery units connectto the A/C system of the automotive vehicle to recover refrigerant outof the system, separate out contaminants and oil, and recharge thesystem with additional refrigerant.

Conventional automotive vehicles typically require a different type ofoil than that utilized by hybrid vehicles. These oils are generally notcompatible with each other. The hoses of the refrigerant recovery unitneed to be flushed before servicing a hybrid vehicle using a differentkind of oil than that of conventional vehicles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a method ofremoving contaminants from a refrigeration recovery unit includesconnecting a first end of a high side service hose and a first end of alow side service hose to a first portion of the unit that provides arefrigerant to the service hoses, connecting a second end of the highside service hose and a second end of the low service hose to a secondportion of the unit so that the second ends form a closed loop, chargingthe low side service hose with the refrigerant, wherein the refrigerantflows into the high side service hose, recovering refrigerant from thehigh side service hose while continuing to charge the low side servicehose, charging the high side service hose with refrigerant whilerecovering refrigerant from the low side service hose, stopping thecharging of the service hoses, and recovering refrigerant from the highand low side service hoses until a measured pressure reaches 0 psig.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a methodto flush a contaminant from service hoses of a refrigerant recovery unitincludes connecting a first end of a high side service hose and a firstend low side service hose to a first portion of the unit that provides arefrigerant to the service hoses, connecting a second end of the highside service hose and a second end of the low service hose to a secondportion of the unit so that the second ends form a closed loop, enteringa predetermined amount of time for flushing the service hoses, measuringa pressure within the service hoses with a pressure sensor, performing arecovery of refrigerant if there is a positive pressure in the servicehoses, determining if there is an adequate vacuum in the service hosesafter the recovery, performing an evacuation of the service hoses if thevacuum is inadequate, flushing the service hoses with a refrigerant fora predetermined period of time, and recovering refrigerant from theservice hoses.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, arefrigerant recovery unit that can recover and recharge refrigerant froma refrigerant system of a vehicle can comprise a storage vessel thatcontains a refrigerant, a pair of refrigerant service hoses having afirst end connected to a first portion of the unit and a second endconfigured to mate with the refrigerant system, wherein the first endcommunicates with the storage vessel, a refrigerant control circuitoperable to receive and transport the refrigerant between said hoses andsaid storage vessel and to process the refrigerant to substantiallyremove contaminants from the refrigerant, a fluid connector in fluidcommunication with said second ends to enable the refrigerant to flowbetween first ends and second ends and to establish a closed loopthrough said refrigerant control circuit, and a controller operativelyconnected to said refrigerant control circuit and configured to controla flow of the refrigerant through said refrigerant control circuit andthrough said fluid connector.

In accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention, arefrigerant recovery unit that can recover and recharge refrigerant froma refrigerant system of a vehicle can comprise a means for storingconfigured to contain a refrigerant, a pair of means for transmittingrefrigerant having a first end connected to a first portion of therefrigerant recovery unit and a second end configured to mate with therefrigerant system, wherein the first end communicates with the meansfor storing, a refrigerant control means configured to receive andtransport the refrigerant between said means for transmitting and saidmeans for storing and to process the refrigerant to substantially removecontaminants from the refrigerant, a means for connecting in fluidcommunication with said second ends to enable the refrigerant to flowbetween first ends and second ends and to establish a closed loopthrough said refrigerant control means, and a means for controllingconfigured to communicate with said refrigerant control means andconfigured to control a flow of the refrigerant through said refrigerantcontrol means and through said means for connecting.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain embodiments of theinvention in order that the detailed description thereof herein may bebetter understood, and in order that the present contribution to the artmay be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional embodimentsof the invention that will be described below and which will form thesubject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of theinvention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited in its application to the details of the construction and to thearrangements of the components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of embodiments inaddition to those described and of being practiced and carried out invarious ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology andterminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for thepurpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conceptionupon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basisfor the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carryingout the several purposes of the present invention. It is important,therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalentconstructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope ofthe present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary front view of an example refrigerant recoveryunit shown with a portion of a front cover removed to illustrate majorcomponents of the unit.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary rear view of the refrigerant recovery unit shownin FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of the refrigerant recovery unit shown in FIGS.1 and 2 according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is an example embodiment of a block diagram of a portion of arefrigerant recovery unit.

FIG. 5 a is a fragmentary view of a portion of an example embodiment ofthe refrigerant recovery unit in FIGS. 1 and 2 showing bulkhead fittingswith nuts attached.

FIG. 5 b is a fragmentary view of a portion of an example embodiment ofthe refrigerant recovery unit in FIGS. 1 and 2 with R-134a adapterstightened onto bulkhead fittings.

FIG. 6 a is an example embodiment of a fluid connector that is aflushing hose with adapter fittings attached thereon.

FIG. 6 b is an exploded view of the fluid connector shown in FIG. 6 a.

FIG. 7 a is a fragmentary view of the refrigerant recovery unit in FIGS.1, and 2 showing vehicle service couplers carrying vehicle service hosesattached to the adapter fittings shown in FIG. 5 b.

FIG. 7 b is a fragmentary view of the refrigerant recovery unit in FIGS.1, and 2 showing the connecting device shown in FIGS. 6 a and 6 battached to refrigerant recovery unit.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating an example of operations that may beperformed by a refrigerant recovery unit according to an embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating another example of operations thatmay be performed by a refrigerant recovery unit according to anembodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

To enable an operator to use the same refrigerant recovery unit toservice both conventional automotive vehicles and hybrid vehicles, anapparatus and method are developed to flush oil and other contaminantsfrom the vehicle service hoses and associated refrigerant controlcircuit. Once the flushing process is completed, the refrigerantrecovery unit can be used on a vehicle having a different refrigerantoil than the refrigerant oil from the previously serviced vehicle.

According to an embodiment of the invention, a refrigerant recovery unit10 is provided that can recover and recharge refrigerant from arefrigerant system 124 which comprises a storage vessel 12 constructedand arranged to hold a refrigerant. The refrigerant recovery unit 10 isconfigured with a refrigerant control circuit operable to receive andtransport the refrigerant between the vehicle's refrigerant system andthe storage vessel 12 and to process the refrigerant to substantiallyremove contaminants therefrom. A fluid hose 166 is provided to be influid communication with the hoses 24, 28 to enable the refrigerant toflow between the hoses 24, 28 and to establish a closed loop through therefrigerant control circuit. An electronic controller 16 is operativelyconnected to the refrigerant control circuit and configured to control aflow of the refrigerant through the refrigerant control circuit andthrough the fluid hose 166.

The invention will now be described with reference to the drawingfigures, in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout. FIGS.1-2 show one example of a portable refrigerant recovery unit 10 used torecover and recycle refrigerant from a refrigerant system, such as theA/C system in an automotive vehicle. The unit can be mobile via wheels22 located on a bottom end of the unit 10. The unit 10 includes a firstcontainer or main tank 12 for holding a primary supply of refrigerant orrecovered refrigerant that has been recovered from the A/C system. Themain tank 12 may also be referred to as an internal storage vessel(ISV), and is the primary supply of refrigerant. The unit 10 alsoincludes a second container or auxiliary tank 14 for holding a secondarysupply of refrigerant. The secondary supply of refrigerant is sometimesreferred to as fresh refrigerant, virgin refrigerant or rechargingrefrigerant. The auxiliary tank 14 is arranged in fluid communicationwith the main tank 12 so fluid can be transferred from the auxiliarytank 14 to the main tank 12. The electronic controller 16 along with theinternal valves and hoses (FIG. 3) controls the transfer of fluid fromthe auxiliary tank 14 to the main tank 12.

Details of the structure and operation of the example embodiment of arefrigerant recovery unit 10 is illustrated in several of the figures.FIG. 1 shows one example of a refrigerant recovery unit 10 for servicinga refrigerant system of a vehicle air conditioning system. The frontpanel of a cabinet 20 is shown broken away in FIG. 1 to show the majorelements of the refrigerant recovery unit 10. Behind the front panel ofcabinet 20 is mounted the main tank 12 of refrigerant (FIG. 2) forsupplying refrigerant to the system being serviced. Also mountedadjacent the main tank 12 is the auxiliary supply tank 14 which suppliesthe additional refrigerant to the main tank 12. Mounted to the floor 54of cabinet 20 is a compressor 56 and a vacuum pump 58. The compressor 56and the vacuum pump 58 may be connected in series, and operate togetheror separately. The compressor 56 and the vacuum pump 58 together andindividually are an example of a fluid recovery assembly and a fluidrecovery means. Mounted to the inside of rear wall 60 of cabinet 20 isan oil accumulator tank 62, a compressor oil separator filter 64, amanifold 66 (shown as a node in FIG. 3), and a condenser 68. Inaddition, a fresh oil canister 70 is mounted within a side compartmentof cabinet 20. A recovery oil container 72 is mounted on the lower partof the cabinet 20 to receive oil drained from the accumulator tank 62.

The main tank 12 rests on the weighing device 34, which in this exampleis a load cell, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The weighing device 34provides a weight data signal to the controller 16 such that the weightof the tank comprising its tare weight plus the weight of refrigeranttherein are monitored by the controller 16. High pressure hoses andconnectors together with control valves couple tank 14 to tank 12. Inaddition, the refrigerant recovery unit 10 may include a high pressurehose 24, typically color coded red, with a coupling 26 for coupling tothe vehicle's high pressure fluid transmitting port (not shown) and alow pressure hose 28, typically color coded blue, having a coupling 30for coupling to the low pressure fluid transmitting port (not shown) ofthe vehicle's refrigerant circuit. The couplings 26, 30 have valvesincorporated therein, so that they when the valves are closed, norefrigerant can flow through them. The hoses 24, 28 are an example of afluid connector or fluid connector means. Electrical pressuretransducers 44′ and 46′ (shown in FIG. 3) are coupled to the hoses 24and 28 (shown in FIG. 1), and are coupled to the controller 16 throughconventional input/output circuits to provide the controller 16 withpressure information during operation of the unit 10.

The refrigerant recovery unit 10 includes the electronic controller 16which includes a microprocessor on a circuit board 17, for controllingamong other elements an electromechanical solenoid valve 134 (FIG. 3).The microprocessor may be configured with internal memory to store andrecord data. Optionally, the microprocessor may be configured with anexternal memory unit to store software and data, and the microprocessormay be coupled to the memory unit for executing the software stored inthe memory unit. The external memory unit may be contained within thecabinet 20 or external to it. The electronic controller 16 receives datasignals or communication from sensors, including pressure andtemperature sensors, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, controls switches,such as the on and off switch 35 on the control panel 32 shown in FIG.1, and weighing device 34. The weighing device 34 in the exampleembodiment is a load cell, but the weighing device can be an electronicscale or any other type of weighing device configurable to transmit aweight data signal to the controller 16.

The control panel 32 includes a display 36 for displaying theoperational status of the unit's operation. The display is coupled tothe controller 16 by way of a conventional input/output circuit. Thecontrol panel 32 further includes a switch panel 38 having aconventional keyboard 40, and a plurality of push-button switches 42 forcontrolling the operation of the unit 10 through its various phases ofoperation and/or for selecting parameters for display.

Having briefly described the major components of the refrigerantrecovery unit 10, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a more detailed descriptionof the operation of the system is described in connection with the flowdiagram shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a refrigerant control circuit in fluidcommunication with the internal storage vessel or main tank 12 andconfigured to be connected to a vehicle's refrigerant system 124 toenable refrigerant to flow between the refrigerant system 124 and themain tank 12.

In general, the recovery cycle is initiated by connecting hoses 24 and28 to the vehicle to be serviced and opening of the dual back-to-backhigh pressure and low pressure solenoids 76, 78, respectively. Thisallows the refrigerant within the vehicle to flow through a refrigerantcontrol circuit of the refrigerant recovery unit 10. The refrigerantflows through a conduit 80, through a check valve 82, then throughrecovery valve 84, and into a manifold 66. The refrigerant then flowsthrough a valve 88 and a unit 90 via conduit 92 into the accumulatortank 62 where it then travels through an output conduit 94 through awater separating molecular sieve 96 and then to the input of thecompressor 56. Refrigerant is drawn through the compressor 56 through avalve 98 and through an oil separating filter 100, which circulates oilback to the compressor 56, through conduit 102, and oil return valve104. The refrigerant recovery unit 10 may optionally include a highpressure switch 106. High pressure switch 106 is coupled to themicroprocessor programmed to determine if the upper pressure limit of,for example, 435 psi has been reached in order to shut down thecompressor 56 in the event the pressure becomes excessive. Thecompressed refrigerant then exits the oil separator 100 through aconduit 108, travels through a check valve 110 and then through aheating coil 112 in the accumulator tank 62 via a conduit 114. Therefrigerant recovery unit 10 optionally includes a low pressure switch86 that senses the pressure and provides an output signal coupled to themicroprocessor through a suitable interface circuit. The controller 16is programmed to detect when the pressure is down to 13 inches ofmercury in the vehicle's A/C system. The heated compressed refrigerantflowing through heating coil 112 assists in maintaining the temperaturein accumulator tank 62 within a working range. The refrigerant thenflows through a conduit 116 to the condenser 68 which cools thecompressed refrigerant which then flows through a check valve 144 andinto the main tank 12.

The evacuation cycle begins by the opening of solenoids 76 and 78 andvalve 130, leading to the input of vacuum pump 58. Prior to openingvalve 130, air intake valve 132 is opened, allowing the vacuum pump 58to start exhausting air through outlet 59. The vehicle's refrigerantsystem 124 is then evacuated by the closing of valve 132 and the openingof valve 130, allowing the vacuum pump 58 to exhaust any trace gasesremaining until the pressure in the system 124 is approximately 29inches of mercury, or approximately 0 psig. When this occurs, asdetected by pressure transducers 44′ and 46′ coupled to the controller16, the controller 16 actuates valve 130 by turning it off and therecharging cycle begins.

The flow path of the recharging cycle is through an opened charge valve122 and solenoids 76 to allow the liquid refrigerant in tank 12, whichis at approximately 70 psi or above, to flow through conduit 80 to therefrigerant system 124. The flow of refrigerant through high-pressuresolenoids 76 is for a predetermined period of time to provide a fullcharge of refrigerant to the vehicle. The components comprising therecharging cycle flow path are an example of a fluid communication meansin fluid communication with the main tank 12 and configured to beconnected to the refrigerant system 124 of the vehicle to enablerefrigerant to flow between the main tank 12 and the refrigerant system124.

Having thus described the main operations of the refrigerant recoveryunit 10, the structure and operation of the unit 10 to flushcontaminants from its vehicle service hoses 24, 28 will be describedbelow.

Conventional automotive vehicle air conditioning systems typically usepolyalkylene glycol lubricant (“PAG”) oil as a refrigerant lubricant orcompressor oil. Many hybrid systems with electric compressors use adifferent kind of oil, such as a polyolester (“POE”) oil. The POEsystems in hybrid vehicles are sensitive to an electrical resistivity ofthe lubricant, because the lubricant contacts the electrical system. PAGoils typically have a lower resistivity than that of the POE oils whichcan cause a leakage current. For a given voltage, such as 300 volts orthe approximate operating voltage for a hybrid system, the lowerresistivity translates into a higher leakage current. Thus, if a certainpercentage of the PAG oil gets into the hybrid system, the lowerresistivity of the PAG oil and the resulting leakage current can causeelectrical problems in the hybrid system, including electrical damage.

FIG. 4 is an example embodiment of a block diagram of a portion of arefrigerant recovery unit. The refrigerant system 124 of the vehiclecommunicates with the solenoid valve 76. The actuation of the valve 76is controlled by controller 16. A sensor 148 is optionally coupled tothe main tank 12 and to the controller 16. The main tank 12 ispositioned on the scale 34 and is connected through a connector or otherarrangement of fluid conducting devices to the valve 76. The connectorcan comprise a wide range of structures including plumbing connections,piping, tubing, manifolds, and valves to start and stop the fluid flow,or any other fluid connection structures. The scale communicates withthe controller regarding the weight of the tank 12. The controller alsocontrols the vacuum pump 58, a second sensor 148 and compressor 56.

FIGS. 5 a and 5 b shows a fragmentary view of a portion of therefrigerant recovery unit 10. The refrigerant recovery unit 10 is fittedwith fittings, for example R134a fittings 154, 156 to provide aconnection for vehicle service hoses (similar to the connections on avehicle refrigerant system 124). In a retrofit application, nuts 158,160 are first installed with first fittings 162, 164, and then the R134aadapter fittings 154, 156 are connected to the fittings 164, 162,respectively. Nuts 158, 160 also have second fittings 168 and 170 (FIG.7B) on the opposite sides of first fittings 162, 164. The first fittings162, 164 and second fittings 168, 170 communicate with each other sothat when the fluid hose 166 are coupled to second fittings 168, 170 aclosed circuit loop is formed in the unit 10. Vehicle service couplers26, 30 (FIG. 7) located at the ends of vehicle service hoses 24, 28,respectively are coupled to the fittings 154, 156 provided on therefrigerant recovery unit 10.

FIGS. 6 a and 6 b show an example of a retrofit kit with the fluid hosedevice 166. The fluid hose 166 may be factory installed on a new R-134arefrigerant recovery unit or may be offered as a retrofit adapter optionto existing units. The fluid hose ends are configured to mate withsecond fittings 168, 170 to form the closed loop of unit 10 for theflushing of the service hoses. In this embodiment, refrigerant may flowfrom the unit 10 out to the hoses 24 to service couplers 26, which iscoupled to first fittings 164. The refrigerant then can flow to secondfittings 170 then to second fittings 168 to service coupler 30 and hose28 and back into the unit 10. The refrigerant flow may also be reversed.

In another embodiment, the vehicle service couplers 26, 30 do not haveto couple to the fittings 154, 156 but can be coupled together by abypass adapter (not shown). In this embodiment, one side of the bypassadapter is configured to mate with service coupler 26 and the secondside is configured to mate with service coupler 30. When not in use, thebypass adapter may be stored in the unit for later retrieval.

FIG. 7 a shows a fragmentary view of a portion of the refrigerantrecovery unit configured with vehicle service hoses 24, 28 havingvehicle service couplers 26, 30 attached thereto, respectively. FIG. 7 bshows the fluid hose 166 attached to the vehicle service couplers 26, 30via second fittings 168, 170 on the refrigerant recovery unit 10. Thus,with this arrangement, oil and other contaminants can be flushed fromthe vehicle service hoses 24, 28 and the associated refrigerant controlcircuit by providing a fluid flow connector means or fluid hose 166between the vehicle service hoses 24, 28 when the vehicle service hoses24, 28 are disconnected from the vehicle. This flow connection allowsthe refrigerant recovery unit 10 to flush clean refrigerant through theservice hoses 24, 28 and the associated refrigerant circuitry acting asa solvent to clear PAG oil from the service hoses 24, 28 and refrigerantcontrol circuitry to be captured and drained.

Having described the main components and function of refrigerantrecovery unit 10, the method to flush contaminants from the hoses willnot be explained. An example of an operation 200 that may be performedby a refrigerant recovery unit to flush the oil contaminant from thevehicle service hoses is illustrated in FIG. 8. All or part of the stepsbelow may be performed by a software or interactions with the user. Asshown in FIG. 8, the operations begins at step 202, where the unit canbe programmed to have a 3 minute flush time. Then the softwaredetermines if there is positive pressure in the service hoses at step204. The software can determine the pressure in the hoses with a sensor.If yes or positive pressure, then the unit will enter the recovery modeat step 206. If no, then the software proceeds to step 208 where thesoftware determines if there is an adequate vacuum. If no, then the unitwill start to evacuate using the vacuum pump at step 210. If yes, thenthe software proceeds to step 212, where refrigerant is flushed throughthe system for a predetermine period of time. This could be 3 minutes.In other embodiments, the time could be 30 seconds to 5 minutes. Forother embodiments, the time could be less then 30 seconds and more than5 minutes. At step 212, the unit can also monitor pressure in case of ano flow error. If there is no flow or inadequate flow, the unit willnotify the user and can also be temporarily stopped. At step 214, theunit performs the recovery of refrigerant from the hoses and unit frontend. At step 216, the software performs an automatic oil drain. Thesesteps may be performed with the service hoses in a closed loop so thatcontaminants, such as oil, can be removed from the services hoses.

According to a further embodiment, the oil contamination level can befurther reduced by flushing refrigerant through the closed system of therefrigerant control circuit in one direction for part of the time, andin the reverse direction for the remaining period of time. For example,if the total time selected to flush the hoses was three minutes, thenrefrigerant would be flushed through the hoses for a minute and a halfin one direction, and then for a minute and a half in the oppositedirection. Varying the flow direction enhances the effectiveness of therefrigerant recovery unit to reduce the oil contamination, and canreduce the oil contamination level to between 500 ppm to 1000 ppm. Thus,only a very small amount of PAG oil may be introduced into the POEsystem of the hybrid vehicle, if any. Further, during flushing periodsdescribed herein, the oil flushed from the service hoses will beseparated and collected in the oil separator.

FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment of the operations of unit 10. Thesoftware operations 300 starts when the user determines that he is aboutto connect the unit to a vehicle that uses a different type of oil thenthe vehicle he just completed servicing or previously serviced. The userconnects the service couplers to the hose hangers as previouslydiscussed and opens the appropriate valves at step 302 of the couplers.At step 304, the user selects “Hose Flush” and press “Start” on thecontrol panel of the unit. After this step, the unit along with thesoftware can operate the remaining steps automatically. At step 306, theunit charges with refrigerant from the low side connection into the highside connection for about 5 seconds. At step 308, the recovery ofrefrigerant is begun on the high side while the charging of refrigerantis continuing on the low side. This step continues to flush out the oilfrom the service hoses. This step is done for about 1 minute. In otherembodiments, step 308 can be performed for about 30 seconds to about 2minutes. In still other embodiments, step 308 can be performed less then30 seconds and greater than 2 minutes. At step 310, the process of step308 is reversed and the charging is done on the high side while therecovery is done on the low side. This step is done for about 2 minutes.In another embodiment, step 310 can be performed for about 1 minute toabout 5 minutes. In still other embodiments, step 310 can be performedless then 1 minute and greater than 5 minutes. At step 312, charging isstopped and the recovery is now done on both the high and low side.Recovery can continue until about 0 psig and continues for an additional30 seconds. In another embodiment, the recovery can be done for betweenabout 45 seconds to 2 minutes. In still another embodiment, theadditional recovery can be done for less then 30 seconds and more than 2minutes. The additional time ensures as much oil is recovered aspossible from the hoses. The automatic steps ends at step 314.

It can be understood that the method and apparatus for flushing oil andother contaminants from the refrigerant control circuit described andillustrated herein are examples only. The methods and apparatusesdescribed herein can be used for any refrigerant including R134A,however, the inventions can also be used for HFO1234YF, CO2, and othersimilar refrigerant systems. It is contemplated and within the scope ofthe disclosure to construct a wide range of refrigerant recovery unitsto meet particular design and requirements in a wide range ofapplications. A refrigerant recovery unit may be fitted with a singlevehicle service hose, for example, to accommodate refrigerant systemshaving only one port to charge and recover from, and the refrigerantrecovery unit may be modified accordingly to flush the one hose. Thehose(s) may be fitted with fittings other than R134a fittings, such aswhere other types of refrigerant is used. The construction of the fluidhose for connecting the pair of fluid transmitting ports may havedifferent dimensions or configurations from that illustrated, and itssize and shape may vary. The fluid hose may have fittings other thanJ639 type vehicle ports, and the fluid connector may be bypassedentirely.

The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from thedetailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claimsto cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fallwithin the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, sincenumerous modifications and variations will readily occur to thoseskilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to theexact construction and operation illustrated and described, andaccordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resortedto, falling within the scope of the invention.

1. A method of removing contaminants from a refrigeration recovery unitcomprising the steps of: connecting a first end of a high side servicehose and a first end of a low side service hose to a first portion ofthe unit that provides a refrigerant to the service hoses; connecting asecond end of the high side service hose and a second end of the lowservice hose to a second portion of the unit so that the second endsform a closed loop; charging the low side service hose with therefrigerant, wherein the refrigerant flows into the high side servicehose; recovering refrigerant from the high side service hose whilecontinuing to charge the low side service hose; charging the high sideservice hose with refrigerant while recovering refrigerant from the lowside service hose; stopping the charging of the service hoses; andrecovering refrigerant from the high and low side service hoses until ameasured pressure reaches 0 psig.
 2. The method according to claim 1further comprising continuing to recover for an additional 30 secondsafter the pressure reaches 0 psig.
 3. The method according to claim 1,wherein the charging, recovering and stopping steps are performedautomatically.
 4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the connectingstep further comprises using a coupler to connect the first ends and thesecond ends.
 5. The method according to claim 1 further comprisingseparating an oil from the recovered refrigerant into an oil containerof the refrigerant recovery unit.
 6. The method according to claim 1further comprising opening valves at the second ends of the hoses toallow the refrigerant to flow there through.
 7. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the recovering of refrigerant is done with a vacuumpump.
 8. A method to flush a contaminant from service hoses of arefrigerant recovery unit, comprising the steps of: connecting a firstend of a high side service hose and a first end of a low side servicehose to a first portion of the unit that provides a refrigerant to theservice hoses; connecting a second end of the high side service hose anda second end of the low service hose to a second portion of the unit sothat the second ends form a closed loop; entering a predetermined amountof time for flushing the service hoses; measuring a pressure within theservice hoses with a pressure sensor; performing a recovery ofrefrigerant if there is a positive pressure in the service hoses;determining if there is an adequate vacuum in the service hoses afterthe recovery; performing an evacuation of the service hoses if thevacuum is inadequate; flushing the service hoses with a refrigerant fora predetermined period of time; and recovering refrigerant from theservice hoses.
 9. The method according to claim 8 further comprisingmonitoring the refrigerant flow during flushing.
 10. The methodaccording to claim 9, wherein if the flow is below a predetermined levelof flow the flushing step is stopped.
 11. The method according to claim8, wherein the flushing step further comprises circulating refrigerantin one direction of the closed loop and circulating refrigerant in asecond direction of the closed loop.
 12. The method according to claim11, wherein the refrigerant flows in the first direction forapproximately a minute and a half, and flows in a second direction forapproximately another minute and a half.
 13. A refrigerant recovery unitthat can recover and recharge refrigerant from a refrigerant system of avehicle, comprising: a storage vessel that contains a refrigerant; apair of refrigerant service hoses having a first end connected to afirst portion of the unit and a second end configured to mate with therefrigerant system, wherein the first end communicates with the storagevessel; a refrigerant control circuit operable to receive and transportthe refrigerant between said hoses and said storage vessel and toprocess the refrigerant to substantially remove contaminants from therefrigerant; a fluid connector in fluid communication with said secondends to enable the refrigerant to flow between first ends and secondends and to establish a closed loop through said refrigerant controlcircuit; and a controller operatively connected to said refrigerantcontrol circuit and configured to control a flow of the refrigerantthrough said refrigerant control circuit and through said fluidconnector.
 14. The refrigerant recovery unit according to claim 13,wherein said fluid connector is fitted with adapter fittings on each endto mate with the second ends of the service hoses.
 15. The refrigerantrecovery unit according to claim 13, wherein the fluid connector is anadapter configured to receive one of the second end of the service hoseon a first side and one of the second end of the other service hose on asecond side.
 16. The refrigerant recovery unit according to claim 13,wherein said controller is configured to control the flow of refrigerantin a first direction of the closed loop and then in a second directionof the closed loop.
 17. The refrigerant recovery unit according to claim16, wherein said controller is configured to continuously reversedirections of flow over a predetermined period of time.
 18. Therefrigerant recovery unit according to claim 13, wherein said controllerincludes a timer circuit to control at least one operation of the unit.19. The refrigerant recovery unit according to claim 13, furthercomprising a sensor in data communication with said controller, whereinsaid controller controls the flow of the refrigerant through therefrigerant control circuit and the fluid connector in response tocommunication received from said sensor.
 20. The refrigerant recoveryunit according to claim 19, wherein said sensor is at least one of apressure sensor and a temperature sensor.
 21. A refrigerant recoveryunit that can recover and recharge refrigerant from a refrigerant systemof a vehicle, comprising: a means for storing configured to contain arefrigerant; a pair of means for transmitting refrigerant having a firstend connected to a first portion of the refrigerant recovery unit and asecond end configured to mate with the refrigerant system, wherein thefirst end communicates with the means for storing; a refrigerant controlmeans configured to receive and transport the refrigerant between saidmeans for transmitting and said means for storing and to process therefrigerant to substantially remove contaminants from the refrigerant; ameans for connecting in fluid communication with said second ends toenable the refrigerant to flow between first ends and second ends and toestablish a closed loop through said refrigerant control means; and ameans for controlling configured to communicate with said refrigerantcontrol means and configured to control a flow of the refrigerantthrough said refrigerant control means and through said means forconnecting.